View full sizeLindsay Knake | The Saginaw NewsThe 1,564-page third Roman Missal contains the newly translated Catholic Mass, which will be implemented on Nov. 27, the first Sunday of Advent.

SAGINAW TWP. — The Rev. Jim Bessert set a large, red book on a table at the Diocese of Saginaw.

“This is what the hype is all about,” said the Saginaw Diocese Office of Liturgy team leader.

The 1,564-page book is the third Roman Missal, holding the new translation of Mass that Catholics will hear starting Nov. 27, the first Sunday of Advent.

For months, members of the diocese have prepared for the changes, from adding nine inserts to the diocese bulletin to educating priests on the text and conducting workshops for church members who wish to learn more.

Bessert said overwhelmingly, people have told him the changes are not as dramatic as they first anticipated.

While there are new words in the prayers, he said, the words are not foreign.

In the third missal, the Nicene Creed now reads, “...Begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father” instead of “...Begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father.”

Some parishes have begun practicing musical chants “Gloria,” “Holy, Holy,” “Great Amen” and “Lamb of God,” so the changes will not be completely new next month.

“There’s a lot of momentum going into Nov. 27,” Bessert said.

The Rev. Jim Bessert

The Third Roman Missal is 349 pages thicker than the previous edition, containing more music and new prayers from saints and others that support the church’s respect for life, Bessert said. The English edition also is the only one in English, no longer separating dialects for English speakers in other parts of the world.

The re-translated missal was an 11-year effort by Catholic leaders begun when Pope John Paul II declared 2000 the Year of the Eucharist.

Bessert said he prays that Catholics will remain patient with their priests, who may trip up over the new words.

“It’ll be like I’m a new priest whose never, ever said Mass before,” he said.

Anyone with questions can visit saginaw.org, the diocese website. It has a link to the changes in the missal.